Outdoors · Sharm El Sheikh · Egypt
6 best outdoor things to do in Sharm El Sheikh
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Start with Ras Mohammed National Park, Strait of Tiran reefs and Ras Um Sid reef. Together the 6 picks below take roughly 21–30 hours across 5 areas; all charge for entry.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 0
- Time to see them all
- 21–30 hours
- Areas
- Ras Mohammed, Ras Nasrani and Hadaba and Ras Um Sid
Outdoors in Sharm El Sheikh
Nature · Ras Mohammed
1.Ras Mohammed National Park
Book a boat trip that leaves early from the marina to reach the reefs before the main fleet of day boats.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Ras Nasrani
2.Strait of Tiran reefs
Currents in the strait can be strong; follow the boat crew's briefing and snorkel with a buoyancy vest if you are not a confident swimmer.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Hadaba and Ras Um Sid
3.Ras Um Sid reef
Go in the morning, before the afternoon wind picks up and the dive boats crowd the site.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
Nature · Nabq Bay
4.Nabq Protected Area
Go with a tour that includes snorkelling at the reef by the mangroves; the reef is less visited than those near the resorts.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Sinai desert
5.Desert safari and Bedouin evening
Choose a trip with proper helmets and goggles for quads, and bring a scarf against the dust.
- Time needed
- 3–5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Kids
- After dark
- Outdoors
Island · Ras Mohammed
6.White Island
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and water shoes; there is no shade on the sand.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours (as part of a boat trip)
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Couples
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ras Mohammed | Ras Mohammed National Park and White Island | Full day + 1–2 hours (as part of a boat trip) |
| Ras Nasrani | Strait of Tiran reefs | Full day |
| Hadaba and Ras Um Sid | Ras Um Sid reef | 2–3 hours |
| Nabq Bay | Nabq Protected Area | Half a day |
| Sinai desert | Desert safari and Bedouin evening | 3–5 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 1 low cost, 5 mid-priced. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Ras Mohammed National Park; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 6 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Ras Mohammed): Ras Mohammed National Park, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Ras Mohammed): White Island, at least 1 hour.
- Half-day 3 (Ras Nasrani): Strait of Tiran reefs, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Hadaba and Ras Um Sid): Ras Um Sid reef, at least 2 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Nabq Bay): Nabq Protected Area, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Sinai desert): Desert safari and Bedouin evening, at least 3 hours.
The best months to be outside
- February: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 0 rainy days, moderate crowds. The coolest sea of the year, but sunny days in the low 20s °C; busy with European half-term visitors.
- December: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 1 rainy days, busy crowds. Mild, sunny days and cool nights; Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive of the year.
- January: highs of 22°C (72°F), about 1 rainy days, moderate crowds. Warm, sunny days, cool evenings and occasionally windy; the sea is pleasant for snorkelling with a wetsuit.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Ras Nasrani — Large resorts on the headland facing the Strait of Tiran
- Nabq Bay — Newer large resorts and a long promenade north of the airport
- Hadaba and Ras Um Sid — Clifftop plateau above some of Sharm's best shore reefs
More of Sharm El Sheikh
All things to do in Sharm El Sheikh · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Sharm El Sheikh?
Ras Mohammed National Park. Egypt's first national park covers the southern tip of Sinai and the surrounding sea.